The FED Weekly

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover essential updates for federal employees and retirees for March 15-21, 2026. Key highlights include the Social Security Administration’s completion of $17 billion in retroactive payments after the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, boosting lifetime benefits for many public servants. Sunshine Week spotlighted transparency challenges, especially the reduction of FOIA officers and new policies affecting records at the Department of Homeland Security. Healthcare costs are rising sharply, with FEHB premiums up 12.3% and significant changes—such as the end of coverage for gender transition services. Administrative bottlenecks at OPM...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers the week of March 8-14, 2026, spotlighting critical updates for federal employees and retirees. Key topics include a major data breach involving the Social Security Administration, raising alarms about personal data security, and the risk of identity theft. Lawrence reviews new Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) performance data, highlighting strong gains for international funds. There’s concern that cost-of-living adjustments will be offset by significant Medicare premium hikes, thereby minimizing retirees’ real income gains. Important legislation is discussed, such as the FAIR Act, which proposes a 4.1% pay raise, and the True Shutdown Fairness Act, whic...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover critical updates for federal employees and retirees during March 1–7, 2026. The ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, now in its third week, has left thousands without pay, heightening concerns over operational security and worker well-being. Legislative efforts like the Shutdown Fairness Act and full DHS funding are in focus. For retirees, the Social Security Fairness Act’s retroactivity problem is spotlighted, with advice on appealing denied payments, and OPM’s push toward digital retirement processing is examined amid high backlogs. Updates include 2026 cost-of-living adjustments, new retirement earnings limits, and TSP plan change...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers major developments from February 22-28, 2026, impacting both current and retired federal employees. Key topics include the ongoing partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security, which has disrupted agency operations and pay for thousands of essential workers, and new data on Thrift Savings Plan investment gains and the introduction of a Roth in-plan conversion tool. The episode highlights a Supreme Court decision affecting tariff policies, changes in cost-of-living projections, and a significant referendum in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. It also examines digital shifts in benefit documentation, proposed Medicare...

We cover the latest developments impacting federal employees and retirees. The episode details the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, highlighting the uncertainty over back pay for furloughed workers due to a recent change in OPM guidance. Updates include a legislative push to expand fertility coverage in FEHB and PSHB plans, as well as the first baseline for the 2027 retirement COLA. The Social Security Administration faces staffing cuts and controversial reassignment of specialists, affecting retirees’ access to services. There's new guidance on Thrift Savings Plan rollover strategies and status updates on OPM retirement processing times. For current employees, the ep...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers major developments impacting federal employees and retirees for the week of February 8-14, 2026. Key topics include the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, which left essential staff unpaid and sparked a major union lawsuit. The episode also reports on the end of a ban on federal workforce reductions, a proposed overhaul of the reduction-in-force appeals process, and new guidance for reclassifying high-level positions as “at-will.” Legislative updates include the introduction of the FAIR Act for a 4.1% 2027 pay raise and the ongoing implementation of t...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we deliver a comprehensive update on federal workforce developments for the week of February 1-7, 2026. Key highlights include President Trump signing the $1.2 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act, ending the partial government shutdown, and stabilizing government operations—though DHS funding remains temporarily unresolved. Federal civilian workers received a 1% pay raise, lagging behind retiree COLA increases. Major legislative movements featured reforms in procurement, early separation incentives for federal employees, and renewed interest in bills addressing retirement fairness and pay raises. OPM issued updated shutdown guidance and introduced Roth-in-Plan conversions to the Thrift Savings Plan. Retirees ar...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers the biggest federal workforce updates for January 25–31, 2026. The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown after Congress missed the funding deadline, with several agencies experiencing operational paralysis while retirement payments remain unaffected. The episode dives into issues around workforce reduction—over 317,000 jobs lost last year, revised COLA increases for retirees, and the impact of the Social Security Fairness Act. Key policy shifts include a proposed overhaul of federal performance management, union contract terminations at the VA, new pay adjustments (especially for law enforcement), and stricter rules around telework for employees with disabilities. Addi...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover key developments for federal employees and retirees from January 18–24, 2026. The Office of Personnel Management confirmed a modest 1.0% pay raise for federal workers, while locality pay rates remain frozen. The House passed major spending bills, including provisions to extend Medicare telehealth and reform pharmacy benefit managers. Retirees saw updates to IRS tax forms and new guidance on pension rollover rules, along with reminders on how retirement timing impacts cost-of-living adjustments. Federal law enforcement received a 3.8% special salary rate increase, and the Thrift Savings Plan now automates catch-up contributions. Workforce reductions hit se...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we review key developments for federal employees and retirees during mid-January 2026. Highlights include the House passing vital agency funding bills, new protections to ensure federal pay during shutdowns, and a crackdown on improper payments to deceased individuals. The implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act brings retroactive benefit payments to millions, while retirees see annuity increases offset by rising Medicare premiums. Updates on new digital data platforms, pay raises (with a focus on law enforcement), changes to union rights, and modernized hiring policies are covered. Lawrence also discusses ongoing challenges, including retirement...

We break down the latest news impacting federal employees and retirees. The big legislative update is the House passing HR 6938, a minibus appropriations bill that protects funding for agencies like NASA and EPA and rejects proposed budget cuts. Pay rates are set for 2026, with most federal workers receiving a modest 1% increase, while law enforcement gets a higher adjustment. Attrition is up across the federal government, with notable losses in the Departments of Education and Treasury. Retirees under CSRS and FERS will get cost-of-living increases—2.8% and 2.0% respectively. OPM changes the tax form 1099R delivery to electronic by default, and the TS...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap key developments for federal employees and retirees from December 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026. Highlights include President Trump’s executive order granting extended holidays, which resulted in forfeited use-or-lose leave for some workers. Federal health benefit premiums have surged again—up 12.3% for most and 11.3% for postal workers—outpacing inflation. Congress faces a looming January 30 funding deadline after a record-breaking shutdown last fall. Retirees receive a finalized 2026 COLA: 2.8% for CSRS/Social Security and 2.0% for FERS. Errors on annuitant statements are addressed, with reassurance on actual payments. Recent Social Security bills aim to improve services but do...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap significant developments for federal employees and retirees for the week of December 21–27, 2025. Key highlights include President Trump’s executive order creating a five-day federal holiday weekend, a finalized 1.0% general pay raise for most federal employees (with federal law enforcement receiving an additional adjustment), and the last steps before the Postal Service Health Benefits program launch. Lawrence also covers the substantial 12.3% health premium increases, the upcoming 2026 COLA for federal retirees, and changes in Medicare Part B premiums—warning that many retirees will see their COLA consumed by these higher costs. The episod...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap significant developments for federal employees and retirees from December 14-20, 2025. Highlights include the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act, impacting the federal workforce and supply chain security, plus executive orders granting federal employees extra holiday leave and finalizing a 1% pay raise for 2026—though locality pay remains frozen. There were significant updates to federal health benefits, with premiums rising about 10% and substantial changes in coverage, including the removal of gender transition procedures. Retirees face a growing crisis as OPM's retirement processing backlog triples from the previous year, causing significant delays in...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers the critical updates for federal employees and retirees from December 7-13, 2025. Key focus areas include the end of the federal Benefits Open Season and a sharp 12.3% increase in health insurance premiums for 2026, compounding a 25% hike over two years. Budget negotiations resulted in another temporary continuing resolution, extending federal funding through March 2026 but restricting agency operations. There’s concern over minimal pay raises: most federal workers receive just a 1.0% increase (with no bump to locality pay), far below inflation, except for specific law enforcement roles, who get 3.8%. Retirees face diminishing real income, as ri...

This week on The FED Weekly, we cover the critical news for federal employees and retirees from November 30 to December 6, 2025. The Federal Benefits Open Season ends December 8, and participants must act quickly due to plan changes and increased health costs. Flexible spending account re-enrollment is required, with updated IRS limits. The anticipated 2026 pay raise stands at 1.0% for most employees, except law enforcement, who may see a 3.8% increase. Thrift Savings Plan funds show growth, while year-end withdrawal deadlines impact 2025 taxes. Retirees will receive a 2.8% COLA boost, but rising insurance premiums may offset gains. Notably, there’s a temporary block on St...

This week on The FED Weekly, we cover crucial updates for federal employees and retirees from November 23-29, 2025. The episode breaks down Federal Benefits Open Season—highlighting a significant 12.3% hike in health premiums for 2026—and details how new plan designs shift more costs onto members. Legislative efforts to tackle rising healthcare expenses, including reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers, are also discussed. For retirees, the 2026 FERS cost-of-living adjustment is capped at 2.0%, falling short of matching premium increases, raising concerns about financial security. The episode also explains pay changes: most General Schedule workers receive only a 1.0% increase. At the same time, law...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap crucial updates for federal employees and retirees for November 16–22, 2025. Key topics include the annual Federal Benefits Open Season, which features essential plan changes and mandatory actions—especially for those with terminating health or dental plans. If enrolled in a plan ending in 2025, participants must choose new coverage or risk automatic enrollment in a high-premium default plan or loss of dental coverage. The episode also spotlights changes in Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contributions, with high earners required to use Roth options for 2026. For retirees, it covers cost-of-living adjustments and special open seas...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover the record-breaking 43-day federal government shutdown, its severe financial impacts on federal employees, and disruptions to public services. Despite the shutdown, the 2025 Federal Benefits Open Season remains scheduled for November 10 – December 8, with some health, dental, and vision plans being discontinued, requiring affected participants to select new coverage. Key updates for retirees include final retroactive payments following the repeal of WEP and GPO, a warning about related scams, and confirmation of a 2.8% Social Security COLA for 2026. On workforce policies, Lawrence highlights a court injunction protecting furloughed employees from termination, ongoing pay de...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we deliver a comprehensive update on critical issues affecting federal employees and retirees during the ongoing government shutdown. Highlights include missed paychecks, reliance on emergency resources, and intense financial strain across the federal workforce. Legislative deadlock persists, with debates over healthcare and new bills, such as the Shutdown Fairness Act, aiming to provide immediate relief. Recent judicial interventions upheld SNAP benefits for millions and blocked reduction-in-force notices, protecting worker stability. Healthcare costs are rising sharply, with FEHB premiums increasing by 12.3% and new administrative requirements for retirees navigating Medicare. The finalized pay structure...

We cover the ongoing government shutdown, highlighting the deadlocked budget negotiations that have left 730,000 federal employees working without pay. Primary legislation discussed includes the Shutdown Fairness Act (S. 3012), which aims to secure immediate pay for essential staff, and proposed changes to retroactive pay guarantees, raising uncertainty for furloughed workers. Judicial action prevented a lapse in SNAP benefits and blocked mass federal workforce reductions during the shutdown. Federal health premiums are set to rise sharply by 12.3% in 2026, while the finalized cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirees reveal continued inflationary pressures and disparity between CSRS and FERS annuitants. Additional updates include new...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers key updates affecting federal employees and retirees from October 19–25, 2025. We discuss steep 2026 health insurance premium hikes—12.3% for Federal Employees Health Benefits participants and 11.3% for Postal Service enrollees—which far outpace the modest cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees (2.8% for CSRS and 2.0% for FERS). The episode details plan discontinuations ahead of Open Season and highlights partial Medicare claims relief amid the ongoing government shutdown. Lawrence breaks down legislative efforts to secure pay for federal workers during the shutdown, ongoing reform bills like the Equal COLA Act, and OPM’s major initiative to unify 119 fragmented HR syste...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we cover the critical challenges facing federal employees and retirees for the week of October 12-18, 2025. Key topics include the deepening financial crisis from the ongoing government shutdown, with hundreds of thousands missing paychecks and facing uncertainty over back pay. Military pay was protected through an executive order, heightening workforce tensions. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced a sharp 12.3% increase in 2026 Federal Employees Health Benefits premiums and the exit of several health plans, forcing many to switch coverage under financial stress. The shutdown delayed the 2026 COLA announcement, impacting retirees’ planning, and hi...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers the significant changes affecting federal employees and retirees for the week of October 5–11, 2025. Key topics include the announcement of the 2026 Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) open season, with average premium increases of 12.3%—the second year of double-digit hikes—and notable carrier discontinuations. The episode highlights the financial pressure from missed paychecks due to the ongoing government shutdown, compounded by mass layoff notices and threats of permanent workforce reductions. Updates on the delayed 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement, proposed retirement fairness legislation, and emergency relief bills for Thrift Savings Plan withdrawals are discussed. Additionally, new le...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers significant developments for federal employees and retirees from September 28 to October 4, 2025. A government shutdown defined the week after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill, with health care subsidies at the center of the dispute. The episode also details the massive culmination of the Trump administration’s deferred resignation program, resulting in over 150,000 federal workers leaving their jobs—historically the largest such event in the country's history. Despite the shutdown, annuity payments to retirees remain secure, as they are funded independently from appropriations. The podcast highlights ongoing legislative efforts to strengthen the...

In this episode of The FED Weekly, we recap critical issues for federal employees and retirees during the week of September 21-27, 2025. The primary focus is the escalating government shutdown crisis, which has been heightened by the Senate's rejection of a House funding bill and the cancellation of key votes, raising fears of furloughs and disrupted benefits processing. The show highlights the ongoing suspense surrounding the 2026 FEHB premium rate announcements, following this year’s record 13.5% hike linked to expanded coverage mandates. For retirees, Lawrence projects a 2.8% COLA for CSRS and Social Security, with a 2% cap for FERS. The episode al...

This week’s episode of The FED Weekly covers the escalating threat of a government shutdown as Congress remains deadlocked over funding bills ahead of the September 30 deadline. Lawrence explains how competing short-term funding proposals are fueling uncertainty for federal workers and retirees. President Trump’s 2026 alternative pay plan—offering a 1% raise for most and 3.8% for some law enforcement—raises concerns about future retirement annuities due to its impact on high-3 salary calculations. The possible final year of the Combined Federal Campaign signals changing traditions within government culture. On the retirement front, the Thrift Savings Plan saw positive returns in Augus...

This week on The FED Weekly (7-13 Sep 2025), we cover major updates affecting federal employees and retirees. Congress introduced the Claiming Age Clarity Act to simplify Social Security claiming age terms, aiming to help retirees make more intelligent decisions about when to start benefits. Another bill, the Keep Billionaires out of Social Security Act, aims to prevent Social Security office closures and boost funding for better service, reflecting pushback against digital-only approaches. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported weak job growth, primarily tied to federal layoffs and canceled contracts, raising concerns about the risk of a government shutdown. For...

This week, the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program announced a historic 13.5% premium hike for 2025—significantly outpacing proposed federal pay raises and eroding purchasing power for employees and retirees. Expanded IVF and anti-obesity drug coverage are driving up costs. In retirement news, the Thrift Savings Plan topped $1 trillion in assets, showcasing strong investment returns despite increased market dependence for future security. The newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act brings selective tax relief for seniors and overtime earners, but also tightens SNAP eligibility, potentially harming low-income federal families. Executive action by President Trump banned collective bargaining at more agencies, ig...

In this week’s episode of The FED Weekly, Lawrence covers urgent updates for federal employees and retirees. The 2025 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums are set to rise by a historic 13.5%, the most significant increase in almost 20 years, while dental and vision plan hikes are more moderate. With government funding still stalled in Congress and a potential government shutdown looming, federal workers face job uncertainty and possible income disruption, though annuity and Social Security payments will continue. The projected 2026 COLA suggests a 2.5–2.6% increase for CSRS retirees and a capped 2% for most FERS retirees. New bipartisan legislation (the FORWARD Act...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers crucial updates for federal employees and retirees for August 17-23, 2025. Host Lawrence outlines the impending 2026 pay freeze, significant increases in FEHB health insurance premiums, and the removal of gender-affirming care coverage from all federal health plans starting in 2026. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act introduces several new tax deductions, but won’t fully counterbalance the financial strain from pay and benefit changes. The episode also notes the controversial cancellation of the 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, a dramatic reversal at the IRS from mass layoffs to emergency rehiring, and strengthened probationary periods for new hi...

With Congress adjourning for the August recess, a government shutdown looms as key budget bills remain unresolved. Divided proposals over federal spending heighten uncertainty, threatening paychecks and agency services. Major union battles escalate, including terminations of collective bargaining agreements at the VA and EPA, while unions mobilize to protect worker rights and challenge policies undermining civil service protections. The 2026 federal pay raise remains uncertain, facing a proposed pay freeze for civilian employees and competing legislative proposals. OPM issues new guidance on performance awards and probationary periods, prioritizing high performance and accountability. Retiree COLA projections show moderate increases for 2026, and...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers major updates affecting federal employees and retirees for August 3-9, 2025. Key topics include OPM’s directive to remove COVID-19 vaccine records from personnel files, new legislation to protect employee access to personnel files, and revised rules for probationary periods that make it easier to terminate new hires. Legal setbacks for federal unions are discussed, along with union-led resistance to proposed cuts and privatization at NASA and USDA, which unions argue threaten job security and public services. Updates for retirees focus on FERS changes: a larger-than-usual COLA, a slight boost to the annuity fo...

This episode of The FED Weekly covers key policy updates impacting federal employees and retirees for the week of July 27 to August 2, 2025. Major tax changes from the Big Beautiful Bill Act, including adjustments to federal tax rates, deductions for seniors, and new credits for overtime and family leave. The episode examines President Trump’s Executive Order 14319 on “Preventing Woke AI,” which sets strict ideological neutrality standards for federal AI procurement, and recent OPM guidance reinforcing religious expression rights in the workplace. For retirees, the show notes relative stability in direct benefits but warns of possible indirect impacts from broader health...

This is your essential briefing for the week of 20-26 July 2025. It has been a watershed week for the federal civil service. A landmark Supreme Court decision has fully unleashed the administration's workforce reduction plans, and a stunning court filing has revealed exactly which offices are in the crosshairs. Meanwhile, the massive "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is now law, and while the worst fears about retirement cuts were not realized, its passage has sent shockwaves through the federal community. We'll break down what this all means for you, whether you’re currently serving or enjoying a hard-earned retirement. We...